Biker let into Canada after telling officials that his ‘1%’ patch stands for ‘honesty, openness and respect’

The standard police interpretation that a certain biker symbol means the motorcycle gang is involved in crime was dismissed by the Immigration and Refugee Board which, instead, accepted evidence from a Swiss biker moving to Canada that it means “Honesty, openness and respect.”

The dispute over the iconic nomenclature of the “1%” patch — seen on the vests of almost all outlaw bikers regardless of gang affiliation — emerged when Canada tried to deport biker Uwe Weser, 67, saying he was likely involved in organized crime.

Mr. Weser, once a prominent member of The Wagos Motorcycle Club in Switzerland, was retiring to Quebec with his Canadian wife last year. He shipped their belongings beforehand and, when he arrived in Montreal, was stopped at the border.

Customs agents searching his shipping container were concerned: Inside, along with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, were photographs of Mr. Weser with members of the Hells Angels; stickers and a T-shirt supporting the Hells Angels; and an address book containing telephone numbers of Hells Angels members.

Related

A key piece of evidence the government pointed to in its deportation claim were photographs of Mr. Weser wearing his Wagos “colours” — the patches bikers wear declaring membership in a particular club — which also included a diamond-shaped patch with “1%” embroidered on it.

At an immigration hearing, Sergeant Alain Belleau of the Sûreté du Québec, who is the province’s co-ordinator for biker intelligence, testified the 1% patch was a declaration a gang is involved in crime.

But Mr. Weser said the patch was a symbol meaning “honesty, openness and respect.”

Testifying on his own behalf, he said he was a member of the Wagos from 1993 to December 2011, had no criminal record and that the Wagos was only a social group of motorcycle enthusiasts.

‘Mr. Weser’s wearing the 1% symbol is insufficient to conclude that Mr. Weser, or the members of the Wagos, commit, or have ever committed, offences’

The IRB found Mr. Weser’s testimony credible and rejected Sgt. Belleau’s evidence that the 1% patch was evidence of criminality.

“There is no similar presumption in the legislation or in the case law that would enable the panel to legally make a presumption about an organization’s criminal activities,” Dianne Tordorf wrote in her decision.

“Mr. Weser’s wearing the 1% symbol is insufficient to conclude that Mr. Weser, or the members of the Wagos, commit, or have ever committed, offences that are part of a pattern of planned and organized criminal activity.”

Mr. Weser was allowed to immigrate to Canada.

When told that the IRB accepted Mr. Weser’s definition of “1%,” Yves Lavigne, author of several bestselling books on motorcycle gangs, laughed out loud.

“The ‘1%’ is universally recognized as being worn by bikers who live outside society’s norms, laws and values. And I underline laws. They are dedicated to a criminal lifestyle,” he said.

“The 1% patch has nothing to do with honesty. It is a declaration that dishonesty is a way of life.”

The term 1% emerged in the biker subculture in the 1950s after high-profile stories on scandalous biker behaviour; a statement by the American Motorcycle Association was apparently issued that 99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens. Those revelling in being outlaws proudly claimed to be the 1% who flouts the law.

“1%” became the rallying cry of outlaw motorcycle gangs, regardless of affiliation, against the rest of society; 1% written inside a diamond has since become a standard piece of motorcycle gang iconography, often tattooed on members, sewn on jackets or engraved on motorcycles.

The text of the decision by the IRB, made in November, was only recently released publicly.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.